個人簡歷

Education/Training:

• ScD, Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health
• MPH, Harvard School of Public Health
• BM, Taipei Medical College

Professional and Research Experience:

• 2002-22: Professor, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
• 2016-23: Editor, Aerosol and Air Quality Research
• 2008-11: Associate Editor, Environmental Health Perspectives
• 2004-07: Editorial board, Inhalation Toxicology
• 2003-08: Editorial review board, Environmental Health Perspectives

Selected Publications:

• Lee SH, Lin WY, Cheng TJ*. Microbiota-mediated metabolic perturbations in the gut and brain of mice after microplastic exposure. Chemosphere. 2024, 350:141026. (*Corresponding author)
• Lee SH, Lin TA, Yan YH, Chien CC, Cheng TJ*. Hepatic and metabolic outcomes induced by sub-chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastics in mice. Arch Toxicol. 2024. (*Corresponding author)
• Chen TF, Lee SH, Zheng WZ; Hsu CC, Cho KH, Kuo LW, Chou CCK, Chiu MJ, Teem BL, Cheng TJ*. White Matter Pathology in Alzheimer’s Transgenic Mice with Chronic Exposure to Low-Level Ambient Fine Particulate Matter. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2022, 19:44. (*Corresponding author)
• Yan YH, C CKC, Wang JS, Tung CL, Li YR, Lo K, Cheng TJ*. Subchronic effects of inhaled ambient particulate matter on glucose homeostasis and target organ damage in a type 1 diabetic rat model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2014;281:211-220. (*Corresponding author)
• Ho M, Wu KY, Chein HM, Chen LC, Cheng TJ*. Pulmonary toxicity of inhaled nanoscale and fine zinc oxide particles: Mass and surface area as exposure metric. Inhal Toxicol 2011; 23: 947-56. (*Corresponding author)
• Cheng TJ*, Hwang JS, Wang PY, Tsai CF, Chen CY, Lin SH, Chan CC. Effects of concentrated ambient particles on heart rate and blood pressure in pulmonary hypertensive rats. Environ Health Perspect 2003;111:147-50. (*Corresponding author)

Abstract

Chinese Title:

微粒毒理學：從大氣微粒，奈米微粒到塑膠微粒

English Title:

Particle toxicology: from ambient particles, nanoparticles to microplastics

Abstract

Particle toxicology research originated from the study of respiratory diseases in miners. In the 1990s, atmospheric particulate matter (PM) became a major research focus, followed by synthetic nanoparticles in the 2000s, and more recently, microplastics. This report highlights our team's research on the toxicological effects of these particles, emphasizing the link between scientific findings and regulatory policies.

Epidemiological studies show that atmospheric PM is associated with cardiopulmonary diseases, though the causal relationship, particularly with fine PM and cardiovascular disease, remains unclear. Using a particle concentrator system, we conducted acute toxicity studies, showing that fine PM can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. Our chronic exposure model demonstrated that environmental concentrations of fine PM can induce cardiovascular structural changes, supporting epidemiological findings and providing evidence for regulatory standards. We also explored the effect of PM on central nervous system and the toxicity of dust storm particles.

With the rise of nanotechnology, concerns over nanoparticle toxicity have increased. We developed systems for nanoparticle generation and exposure, finding that zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit distinct toxicological properties due to solubility. Our findings suggest that current occupational exposure limits may not sufficiently protect workers. In the absence of epidemiological data, toxicology studies provide crucial information for managing nanotechnology risks and shaping policy.

Our research on microplastics revealed that high temperatures accelerate their release. Once absorbed, these particles can distribute to various organs, causing metabolic disorders, elevated liver enzyme levels, and gut microbiota disruption. Studies in aged mice also showed that microplastics cause structure abnormalities in the hippocampal granule cell dendrites, likely linked to gut microbiota, as antibiotic treatment mitigated these effects. These findings strengthen the case for regulating environmental plastic pollution.

Our work in particle toxicology, integrated with epidemiological findings, supports the development of environmental and occupational regulations. In the absence of sufficient epidemiological data, toxicology research plays a vital role in risk assessment and management, guiding the direction of future studies.